CVE-2023-35962 in GTKWave
Summary
by MITRE • 01/08/2024
Multiple OS command injection vulnerabilities exist in the decompression functionality of GTKWave 3.3.115. A specially crafted wave file can lead to arbitrary command execution. A victim would need to open a malicious file to trigger these vulnerabilities.This vulnerability concerns decompression in the `vcd2vzt` utility.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/28/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-35962 represents a critical operating system command injection flaw within GTKWave version 3.3.115, specifically affecting the decompression functionality of the vcd2vzt utility. This issue stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization when processing maliciously crafted wave files, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands on affected systems. The vulnerability resides in the software's handling of compressed waveform data, where the decompression process fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into system commands.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-78, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands, and CWE-94, covering improper control of generation of code. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious wave files that contain specially formatted commands within the decompression data stream. When the vcd2vzt utility processes these crafted files, it inadvertently executes the embedded commands with the privileges of the user who opened the file, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The attack vector requires social engineering to convince victims to open the malicious file, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may encounter untrusted waveform data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple command execution, as it can enable attackers to gain persistent access to affected systems, escalate privileges, and potentially move laterally within network environments. The vulnerability affects systems running GTKWave 3.3.115 where the vcd2vzt utility is used for processing waveform data, particularly in electronic design automation environments where waveform files are commonly exchanged. The attack surface is significant in contexts where users frequently open waveform files from unknown sources, including academic institutions, semiconductor design firms, and electronic engineering organizations. The vulnerability can be leveraged for data exfiltration, system reconnaissance, and establishment of persistent backdoors, making it a serious concern for organizations handling sensitive electronic design information.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate software updates to patched versions of GTKWave, as well as implementing restrictive file handling policies that limit the opening of waveform files from untrusted sources. Organizations should deploy network segmentation to isolate systems that process waveform data and implement strict file validation procedures before any waveform file processing occurs. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, highlighting the need for defensive measures against command execution attacks. System administrators should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of the vcd2vzt utility to authorized users only, while monitoring for suspicious file access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security awareness training for users handling waveform files can help prevent successful social engineering attacks that rely on user interaction with malicious files.